Higgs, James – An expert on atomic warfare

James Higgs 1920 -1986

James Higgs witnessed the explosion of Britain’s first atomic bomb in Australia.

He was one of a party of observers  in the huge crater, left by a bom.

 Mr Higgs, of Princess. Drive. Grantham,  was awarded the BEM in 1956 for his work in Australia with the Royal Air Farce Ragiiment. , by HM The Queen at Bucikingham Palace.

He  joined the RAF in 1940 as  a gunner and was posted to  Houghton Green. Lancashire, where he met his wife Molly. who was in the WRAF.

He later became drill instructor.

After leaving the service in 1945. neither Mr Higgs or his. wife could settle in Civvy Street and he rejoined the RAF in the early 1950s

Then cams the Posting to Australia which began Mr Higgs’  connection with the testing of the atomic bomb.

He becsme  a lecturer to young airmen on atomic warfare and survival, a job which lasted until 1974 when he retired from the RAF while at Brize Norton. Oxfordshire.

He joined BMARC as asecurity officer in 1974 until  his until retiremint in January 1985..

Mr Higp was a member of the British Red Cross and a member of the Warrant Officers’ and Senior NCOs’ Association.

He enjoyed playing the piano and electric organ.

He was survived by his widow Molly, and their three sons, James, Geoffrey and Steven, all of whom also served in the RAF.